Clamping mechanism for permanent molds



Nov. 20, 1934. s. w. JACKSON CLAMPING MECHANISM FOR PERMANENT MOLDS Filed July 30, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR ,Sidruy W Jackson BY 5MM/QJ 77@ C7 ATTORNEYS Nov. 20, 1934. s. w. .JACKSON CLAMPING MECHANISM FOR PERMANENT MOLDS Filed July 5o, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Pl/Jack'Son me? ATTORNEYS INVENTOR AMM/0 ,Sinin BY f Patented Nov. 20, 1934 UNlTED STATES CLAMPING MECHANISM FOR PERMANENT MGLDS Sidney W. Jackson, Cleveland, Ohio, assigner to The Permold Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application July 30, 1932, Serial No. 626,308

6 Claims.

My invention relates to clamps for sectional molds, and more particularly to the combination of a mold comprising a plurality of movable sections having recesses therein, and an improved clamp operatively associated with the mold for forcing and maintaining the mold sections in such a position that the recesses in adjacent mold sections will cooperate with each other to denne pouring and distributing sprue cavities.

The principal object of my invention is to provide an improved combination comprising a clamp operatively associated with a permanent mold having a plurality of sections provided with cooperating recesses therein dening pouring and distributing sprue cavities when the mold is'in closed position, the clamp being especially vdesigned to force the mold sections into accurate cooperative engagement with each other and maintain them in such position during the casting `of larticles in the mold.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved combination of a permanent mold comprising a plurality of movable sections having recesses therein, and a removable clamping means for forcing and maintaining the mold sections in the proper relationship so that the recesses in adjacent mold sections Will cooperate accurately with each other to define the pouring and distributing sprue cavities While articles are being cast in the mold.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved clamp for sectional -molds by means of which the sections of the mold may be brought into cooperative engagement with each other and maintained in such position While articles are being cast in the mold.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an improved clamp for sectional molds having a plurality of stationary projections and one or more adjustable projections, each Iprojectionbeing adapted to cooperate with the outwardly extending flanges of two adjacent mold sections so that, when the adjustable projection is forced inwardly the sections of the mold will be forced into cooperative relationship and maintained in such a position during the casting of articles in the mold.

The formation of relatively thin castings, such as washing machine agitators and similar articles, from aluminum or aluminum alloys having a comparatively low melting point, presents exceedingly diicult casting problems. In the production of the castings, it is highly desirable to introduce the metal uniformly at substantially the same temperature throughout the entire mold casting cavity so that the castings will be free from voids and cold shuts. In producing castings of this type, it is the practice to force 'me/tall upwardly through a casting cavity. In such practice the lmetal is conducted to a ring sprue cavity leading into the mold cavity from a pouring sprue cavity and a plurality of distributing sprue cavities.v In order that the cast article may. be readily removed, the mold sections are cooperatively recessed to define the mold cavities, the pouring sprue cavity, and the various distributing sprue cavities. During the casting operation the various sections of the mold are brought into cooperative'relationship, the metal is poured, and after the cast article has solidiiied the mold sections are separated land the nished article removed.

In forming rcast articles by such a process, however, it is essential that the cooperating mold sections be. brought into the proper relationship and maintained in such a position during the casting of the article; otherwise, the metal will not be delivered to different portions oi the distributing sprue .cavity at the same temperature and pressure, and this is especially true when the metal is poured into a central sprue cavity and conducted from the central cavity to a plurality of points in the ring sprue cavity which leads into the mold cavity.

By my invention I have provided a simple clamping arrangement which cooperates With the mold parts to force them into such relationship with each other that the recesses in the adjacent mold sections will be brought into cooperative relationship to accurately define the sprue cavities and maintain the sections in such a position during the casting of articles in the mold.

My invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a view of a permanent mold having a plurality of sections clamped together by my improved clamp, a portion of the mold and clamp being shown in cross section;

Fig. 2 is a top plan vieW of the mold shown in Fig. 1, the sections of the mold being secured in cooperative relationship by means of my improved clamp;

Fig. 3 is a plan View of my improved clamp and the upper portion of the mold showing how the clamp cooperates with the different sections of the mold to force the adjacent mold sections into the proper position to denne the pouring sprue cavity;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3; v

lili) Fig. 5 is a view' similar to Fig. 3 showing a modiiied form of clamp adapted to cooperate with a mold having four movable upper sections; and

Fig. 6 is a modified form of the clamp shown in Fig. 3.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of thedrawings, the numeral l designates a base upon which is dispcseda plate 2, the upper surface of which is shaped to conform to the under side of the base portion to be formed in the mold. A plurality of movable mold sections 3 are adapted to cooperate with the plate 2 to dene the exterior surface of the casting. Each mold section is provided with a plurality of brackets `6 which extend beyond the mold sections and have apertures which align with apertures in brackets 4 fastened to the base. A shaft 5 extends through the aligned apertures in the respective brackets and means are thus provided for' rotating the mold sections on the base.

The mold sections 3 are arranged to be moved to and outwardly from molding position by suitable toggle mechanism associated with each mold section. The toggle mechanism carries an extensible link "I which is pivotally secured at its inner end to a boss 3 on each mold section 3. The outer end of the link is pivotally securedto a toggle arm 16 by a pin 1l. The toggle arm 10 terminates at one end in the form of a C-shaped bracket, the arms of `which engage the opposite ends of a projection 12 which extends upwardly and outwardly from the bracket 4. A pin 13 extends thro-ugh apertures in the C-shaped bracket and an aperture extending through the projection 12, and serves to rotatably Support the toggle arm l0 on the bracket 1i. A core 14 shaped to conform to the interior surface of the casting extends upwardly from thebase and is centrally disposed with 'respect to the mold sections.

Each toggle mechanism is operated by a lever 15 extending into a socket inthe toggle arm 10 and means is provided to rotate the mold sections into cooperative engagement and to remove them therefrom so that the cast articles may be removed. The pouring sprue cavity 16 is Aformed by the. cooperative engagement of the three mold sections,as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings, and the Ydistribution sprue cavities 17 are formed by cooperating recesses located in the face of each mold section.

The bottom plate 2 which forms the lower mold section also has recesses therein which cooperate with recesses in the lower portion of the movable mold sections to form the casting cavity 19 and the ring sprue cavity i8 which leads through a narrow` gate into the casting cavity.

The mold thus described is especially adaptable for the'producticn of aluminum castings. As previously specified, however, it is highly desirable that the cast metal be conducted to different points in the ring sprue cavity at substantially the same 'temperature and pressure 'and in order to obtain this result it is essential that the recesses in one mold section be directly opposite the recesses in the adjacent mold section during the casting of articles in the mold.

In accordance with my invention, the upper, outer portions of the movable mold sections are shaped to form a substantially annular shoulder r2() upon which the clamp 21 rests when themold is in closed position.

The clamp 21, as illustrated inFigs. 3 and 4; of the drawings, comprises a substantially annu-- lar ring 22 having an extension 23. The ring 22 and extension 23 are provided with an outwardly extending rib or ange 24 to increase the strength of the clamp. Extending inwardly from the ring 22 is a plurality of stationary projections 25. A recess 26 is formed in the extension 23 which communicates with grooves 27 formed in the metal adjacent the recess. I A contact 28 having an inner arcuate face 29 and a recessed outer portion 30 is provided with ribs 31 and makes a sliding t in the recess 26,` the ribs 3l projecting into the -grooves 27. Extending outwardly from the recess 26 the extension 23 is provided With a screwthreaded opening 32 through which a screwthreaded bolt 33 may be moved into engagement with the Contact 28. As illustrated in the drawings, the bolt 33 has an extension 34 at its inner end which ts into the recess 30 of the contact 28 and is held in place by means of keys 35 extending through apertures inthe contact 28 and ntting into grooves 36 formed in the extension 34.

The clamp illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings is designed to be utilized in combination with a mold having three movable sections. Assuming that the mold sections in closed posi-- tion are substantially in the position shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings., the clamp is so arranged that each of the stationary projections 25 is opposite the outwardly extending anges of two adjacent mold sections. A handle k37 Aextending through the bolt 33 is utilized to thread the bolt into theextension 23. As the bolt is moved inwardly, the contact 28 engages with the other two outwardly extending flanges and the molds are brought into position so that the recesses in each of the mold sections cooperate to forrn the` pouring sprue cavity 16. It will also be apparent that the clamp '21 not only serves to force and maintain' the upper portions of the mold sections in the proper position to deiine the pouring sprue cavity but it also serves to force the anges of the mold sections into the proper position so that the recesses in the faces of adjacent flanges of ythe mold sections are forced into the proper coopera.- tive relationship directly opposite each other to form the distributing sprue cavities.

In casting aluminum or aluminum alloys, it is highly desirable that the distributing sprue cavities be of exactly the same size; otherwise, more metal will be conducted to one point of the ring sprue cavityfthan to the other points, and imperfect castings will be produced.

The structures illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings are somewhat similar to that shown in Fig. 3 with the exception that the clamps are adapted to'be employed with a mold having four movable upper sections. The elements have accordingly been designated by the same reference numerals. In the modication shown in Fig. 5, the clamp isA provided with two movable contacts 28 and is sc arranged that each of the stationary projections 25 make contact with the outwardly extending flanges of adiacent mold sections and each of the movable contacts 28 is brought into engagement with a pair of Aoutstanding ianges. The bolts 33 are then threaded into the extensions 23 and the contacts 28 force the mold sections into proper cooperative relationship so that therecesses in the mold sections cooperate accurately to define the pouringand distributing sprue cavities.

lIn the modiiication shown in Fig. 6, the slidable member 23 is provided with two arcuate contacts 29, each of which is brought into contact with a pair of outwardly extending flanges-of two mold sections. The operation of the clamp shown in this modification is similar to that disclosed in Fig. 3, with the exception that it is designed to cooperate with a mold having four movable upper sections.

From the foregoing specification it will be apparent that I have produced an improved combination comprising a clamping arrangement and a mold structure having a plurality of movable sections, which enables the mold sections to be positioned so that the recesses in the faces of adjacent mold sections will be in the proper relationship to denne pouring and distributing sprue cavities.

It will also be noted that my improved clamping arrangement not only enables the mold sections to be properly adjusted but also serves to maintain them in such position during the pouring of the molten metal.

It will further be seen that the clamping arrangement which have provided is simple in structure, may be readily adjusted, and is easily removed from the mold so that the mold sections may be rotated to open position when it is desired to remove the nished castings.

While I have disclosed my improved clamp as being particularly adapted for use in combination with molds having three and four sections, it will be understood that it may also be used in combination with molds having two sections orl in combination with molds having a greater number of movable sections. It will also be understood that instead of utilizing a clamp having stationary projections, the inner surface of the clamp may be made to conform to the outer extremities of the upper portion of the movable mold sections, in which event the projections may be omitted.

To those skilled in the art many modifications of and widely differing embodiments and applications of my invention will suggest themselves without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. My disclosure and the description herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

What I claim is:

l. A clamp for sectional molds comprising a substantially ring-shaped member adapted to surround the mold sections when in closed position, at least a portion of the inner surface of said ring-shaped member substantially corresponding in shape to the contour of the outer extremity of a portion of the mold sections, a movable Contact having a surface substantially corresponding in shape to the outer extremities of at least a portion of two adjacent mold sections, and means for forcing the movable contact into engagement with the extremities of the adjacent mold sections to force and maintain the mold sections in the proper relationship.

2. A clamp for sectional molds comprising a substantially ring-shaped member having a plurality of stationary projections, each of which is adapted to be positioned opposite a pair of flanges on two adjacent mold sections, a movable contact having a surface substantially corresponding in shape to the outer surface of the flanges of two adjacent mold sections, and means for forcing the movable contact into engagement with the flanges of the two adjacent mold sections so as to move the flanges opposite the stationary projections in contact therewith, thereby forcing the mold sections into the proper relationship.

3. A clamp for sectional molds comprising a substantially ring-shaped member, at least a portion of the inner surface of which has substantially the same contour as the outer extremity of the upper portion of the mold sections, a movable member having a plurality of contacts, each of said contacts having a surface corresponding in shape to the outer extremities of the upper portion of the mold sections and being positioned so that each contact is opposite outwardly extending flanges on adjacent mold sections, and means for forcing the contacts into engagement with the iianges of the mold sections opposite thereto, thereby forcing the mold sections into the proper relationship.

4. A clamp for sectional molds comprising a substantially ring-shaped member having a plurality of stationary projections, said ring-shaped member having an extension provided with a recess, grooves in the walls of said extension facing said recess, a movable contact having ribs adapted to nt in said grooves, said stationary projections being shaped to substantially conform to the outer extremities of a pair of outwardly extending flanges on the adjacent mold sections when the mold is in closed position, and means for moving the contact into engagement with an additional pair of outwardly extending iianges to force the sections of the mold in the proper relationship.

5. The combination of a mold having a plurality of movable sections with outwardly extending flanges which are shaped to form a shoulder and tomate with adjacent anges when the mold is in closed position, and a clamp resting upon said shoulder, said clamp having an inner surface of substantially the saine contour as the outer extremities of the mating flanges, a movable contact disposed opposite a pair of mating flanges,

and means for moving the contact into engagev ment withthe flanges opposite thereto to force the mold sections into the proper relationship.

6. The combination of a mold-having a plurality of movable mold sections,each of which has a pair of outwardly extending flanges having recesses in the faces thereof and an arcuate surface leading from the recess to the top of the mold, the arcuate surfaces in the mold sections being adapted to cooperate to form a pouring sprue cavity and the recesses in the adjacent mating anges of two adjacent mold sections being adapted to cooperate to form distributing sprue cavities when the mold is in closed position, and a clamp having a plurality of stationary projections, each of which is adapted to cooperate with the outer extremity of a pair of mating flanges, and at least one movable contact which is adapted to engage the outer'extremity of an additional pair of flanges, and means for forcing the movable contact into engagement with a pair of flanges to move the mold sections into such relationship that the arcuate inner surface of the mold sections will cooperate to form a pouring sprue cavity and the recesses on the adjacent flanges of the mold sections will cooperate to accurately define the distributing sprue cavities.

SIDNEY W. JACKSON. 

